Dodge

I'm working on putting together a stage performance devoted to my original music.
I'm calling it, "Dodge & the Dogs" and here's why...

When I was a kid, there was this old burnt-out shell of a car; a metal carcass surrounded by weeds in the vacant lot next to our house. The seats were covered in duct tape; no wheels- it sat upon cinderblocks, and the windshield was it's only unbroken window. Sometimes I would play in this rusted, ragged-edged, old cruiser and spend quiet-time away from the troubles and stress of my home; it was my escape from the harsh and confusing world around me.
There was a pack of friendly stray dogs that would hang out with me. I'd sneak 'em a couple of hotdogs from Mom's fridge sometimes. I loved playin' with those street-puppies. Up to that point, my experiences with 'people' had not all been...positive.
Those dogs and I would play for hours in and around that old Dodge.

I grew up to live a marvelous life. Although I'm no longer a child, life can still make me feel like sneakin' out to the Dodge & the Dogs' to get away from everything.
After half a lifetime of performing on stage, I am now semi-retired. When I do manage to play a set today, I still feel like the act of stepping on stage and playing my guitar, is (in a way) just like me sneaking out of my room, and spending time sittin' in that old dodge, wrestling with the dogs, laughing and having a great time.
Hence, 'Dodge & the Dogs'!

I haven't played much of this original material for years- I've kinda stuck to the hits! Most of my music is 'food for thought' more than party tunes. Which is why a listening room and listening audience is preferred.
I'm working on re-learning my lyrics and chord progressions; doing some revamping and revising. At some point in the near future, I will schedule a show at Pearl where I'll play and talk about my music, some performed solo, some with the help of guest players.
I plan to attempt to have this performance video recorded to be posted on my website, and it will ultimately culminate in another CD of my new original songs- which you'll hear during the show.

So, why would I want to do such a thing, and why would I think folks would want to sit through it? Well, a couple of reasons...

I'm getting old, or at least I feel it! (I'm 55)
Most of you friends of mine out there know of my life-long battle with (or denial of) Diabetes- adult onset. I also apparently now have developed arthritis in my hands like my Mom had,
and just recently one doctor even tried to replace my right shoulder- "No thanks Doc, I'll just deal with the pain!"
Anyway, what I'm saying is I won't be able to play music for much longer- and I'm cool with that. It's been a hoot!
But I'm not wanting to hang around schlepping my failing body up on stage, only to play with slurred chords and missed notes, and cracking voice- as if I'll still rememer all the long lyrics I've written.
I want to stop while I'm still able to play the gig. The last thing I want folks to say about me is, "Yeah, Good ol' Yost! He doesn't play very well anymore, but he's a Dallas icon and we just love to see him out and about!" Please!
No, I'm not planning to stop playing music anytime soon.
However, I spent most of my life living a very dark, confused, hurt and angry life- which is where my music comes from.
I want to just once, get on stage, in front of others who've lived their own dark shades of life, and perform to the very best of my ability the music I devoted so much of my life to.
I want to sing the lyrics I felt important enough at the time to put into a song, and feel the guitar work that has been my traveling companion through this life.

What good has it done me to spend so much time and effort into what are essentially, works of art, if nobody ever experiences them?
This project, is me trying to show who I've artistically been all my life. This project is me wanting to 'chalk up', just once, a simple, rehearsed, arranged performance of ME!

I can't live all the way to my dying breath and say to myself, "You know, I probably should have taken advantage of owning my own stage by playing my own stuff!"

This will take a couple of months at least to plan and schedule.
I'll keep you informed and will of course let everyone know the date and time when it is decided.
I'm SOooo looking forward to this.

And If I get hit by a truck or something before this happens...just know it was gonna be good!

"Thanks for listening."